10th anniversary of the International Monarch Monitoring Blitz: A record number of observations!

MONTREAL, Oct. 6, 2026 /CNW/ -- Espace pour la vie is celebrating the impressive participation in this year's International Monarch Monitoring Blitz, which has brought together people from across North America every year for the past 10 years. Their goal is to contribute to the conservation of this iconic migratory butterfly through citizen science.

Extraordinary Contributions 
From 31 July to 9 August 2026, more than 9,000 volunteers documented over 91,000 milkweed plants -- 20,000 more than last year -- and more than 29,000 monarchs (at all life stages). Participants once again showed their commitment to supporting this iconic species, recording particularly large numbers of observations.

"Every summer, the butterflies fly in, reproduce and are gone by late September, and every summer I welcome them with open arms. I feel passionate about trying to protect and help these beautiful insects." -- Allison Berringer, Monarch Blitz participant

But the impact of the Monarch Blitz extends beyond the data! Over the past decade, the initiative has strengthened international collaboration and fostered community engagement by bringing people together through numerous educational workshops, community gatherings and outdoor events across the continent. These activities create opportunities for people to contribute to monarch conservation, engage their friends and loved ones, and develop a deeper appreciation for the environment.

Together, these successes demonstrate that community science can be both a powerful tool for public engagement and a valuable source of data to help guide monarch conservation efforts.

10 Years of Community Engagement across North America
Monarch butterflies and milkweed populations cover an extensive portion of North America, making the participation of volunteers essential to monitoring these species. What began with just 115 participants in 2017 has grown into a continent-wide effort that now engages close to 10,000 volunteers each year. Over the past decade, participants have collectively taken part in the Monarch Blitz over 70,000 times, reporting:

• 550,000+ milkweed plants
• 195,000+ monarchs (at all life stages)

Thank you to every person, organization and community who participated this year and throughout the past 10 years. Together, these observations have helped build one of North America's most extensive community science datasets on monarch butterflies and milkweed. Every observation matters!

"Monitoring milkweed for monarch butterfly activity has become a yearly tradition for me and this summer marks my ninth year collecting data. It has been a pleasure contributing to the monarch science community."--Yael B. Weiss, Monarch Blitz participant

Turning Data into Impact
For 10 years, observations collected through the Monarch Blitz have helped researchers better understand monarch breeding habitat, identify priority areas for conservation, analyze trends in summer breeding populations and support habitat restoration on the ground.

A newly published report entitled Priority Actions for Monarch Butterfly Conservation in North America recognized the Monarch Blitz as a successful model for community science, highlighting its ability to inspire participation, engage local champions and build public momentum for monarch conservation.

The data collected by volunteers are also contributing to scientific research. A recent study used Monarch Blitz data from the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project and Mission Monarch to identify mid-summer monarch breeding hotspots, providing new insights into where conservation efforts may be most needed.

"Community members weren't just observing monarchs; they were actively contributing to large-scale international conservation data while gaining a deeper appreciation for native host plants and milkweed ecology."--Natalie Delchambre, Monarch Blitz participant

Looking Ahead
Although the 2026 Monarch Blitz has come to an end, the opportunities to support monarch conservation continue throughout the year. Whether by planting milkweed, participating in community science programs, encouraging friends and family to take part or supporting initiatives such as the Mayors' Monarch Pledge, there are many ways to get involved.

As we celebrate a decade of community science, we are already looking forward to the next 10 years and to growing this community even further. The success of the Monarch Blitz shows that everyone can make a difference and that small actions can add up to meaningful impact.

See you next summer for the 11^th edition of the Monarch Blitz!
Learn more about the Monarch Blitz at: monarchblitz.org.

About the Service de l'Espace pour la vie, des grands parcs et du Mont-Royal
The Espace pour la vie museums and the network of major parks are at the heart of this service. Its activities contribute significantly to the quality of life of Montrealers. It plays a key role in the city's appeal and influence. With its five science museums, natural habitats, urban forest, and public spaces, the Service de l'Espace pour la vie, des grands parcs et du Mont-Royal is dedicated to protecting nature and promoting biodiversity. Through its efforts in conservation, restoration, development, research, and education, it contributes to Montreal's socio-ecological transition.

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SOURCE Espace pour la vie Montreal

Information for the media: Espace pour la vie, Isabel Matte, 514 250-7753, [email protected]